WEEK 1.

ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS

1. What is/are the significance of ecological principles to resource use and development?

Resource use and development, particularly in the context of land use planning, does not
shallowly focus on merely using all our available resources for the purpose of development. In
planning, we emphasize the need for sustainability in using our natural resources to ensure that
we are able to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.

The six (6) Principles of Ecology discussed by Donaldson are foundational principles that should
be taken into consideration by planners to ensure the balance between environmental
protection, social equity, and economic viability throughout the land use planning process. For
instance, in Step 4: Situational Analysis, when we conduct land demand and supply analysis to
identify suitable lands for future development, we do not include protected areas such as
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) areas, environmentally critical areas (ECAs),
protection forests, biodiversity areas, and critical habitats, in our estimated land supply to
protect natural habitats, conserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable natural resource
management.

2. Explain the relationship between ecology and resource use and development?

Ecology is defined as the scientific study of the interactions that determine the distribution and
abundance of organisms (McPherson and DeStefano, 2003) while resource use and
development deals with the utilization of natural resources based on its highest and best use
while ensuring that the environmental, social, and economic impacts are minimized. The
relationship between ecology and resource use and development work both ways because each
of these concepts has an impact on the other.

Through the conduct of scientific studies on the interaction between organisms and its physical
environment, land use planners and management actors will be able to make evidence-based
decisions on how to more effectively utilize or develop a certain area without damaging and/or
depleting the natural resources. On the other hand, resource use and development of a certain
portion of land could possibly alter the physical environment inhabited by some organisms,
thereby affecting the complex interactions that occur within the ecosystem.

3. Discuss the application/s of ecological concepts and principles to resource use, planning,
management, and development. Cite examples and use illustrations to supplement your
discussions.

I would like to illustrate some of the planning applications of ecological concepts and principles
discussed by Vold and Buffett (2008) using the 2013 – 2022 Comprehensive Land Use Plan of
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Application 1. Set objectives and targets for biodiversity in plans.

The CLUP envisions Puerto Princesa City to be a “model city in sustainable development,
exhibiting the character of a city in a forest and demonstrating the proper balance between
development and environment” highlighting their distinctive characteristic as a highly urbanized
city situated in a forest, while also emphasizing the need to balance environmental conservation
with development. Furthermore, the plan wants to shape the city into a center for applied
research in ecology, ecosystems, marine and terrestrial flora and fauna that will accomplish an
updated resource inventory of flora and fauna, a more precise zonation of environmentally
critical area networks (ECAN), more marine and terrestrial protected areas established,
watershed management, forest land use planning, ancestral domain delineation and
management, and more relevant policies enacted.

Application 2. Manage biodiversity at multiple levels of biological organization and multiple

time and spatial scales.

Biodiversity is effectively managed in Puerto Princesa City both at the provincial and the local
scale through the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). PCSD is a council
established to facilitate sustainable development initiatives in the province through the
implementation of the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN).

Application 3. Incorporate spatial and temporal approaches to land use that are compatible
with an area’s natural potential.

The CLUP adopts the total catchment concept, as demonstrated by the ECAN Zoning of the
Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) of Palawan. The plan identified core protection areas in both
terrestrial and marine ecosystems and implement the most rigorous policies to ensure
biodiversity conservation and habitat protection. These regulations are gradually relaxed as the
distance from the core protection areas increase.
WEEK 2. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. What do you think are the top three main challenges confronts the attainment of PA21? What
proposals can you suggest?

 Adoption at the Local Level. The localization and implementation of the Philippine
Agenda 21 (PA 21) remains a great challenge for national government agencies (NGAs)
and local government units (LGUs). There is an urgent need to mainstream the PA 21,
together with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, into our local plans, particularly
the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP)
and ensure that the formulated programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) supporting the
agenda will also fit the local context.

 Lack of Proactive Governance. Without strong political will, the mainstreaming of the
PA 21 and SDGs into the CLUP, CDP, and other local plans will not come into fruition. We
need proactive and transparent leaders who will transform these PPAs into sustainable
long-term practices that will last several administrations.

 Need for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration. The attainment of PA 21 and SDGs cannot

be done by the national and local government alone. LGUs must initiate collaboration
and partnership with different local actors such as the academe, non-government
organizations, people’s organizations, and the private sector to help in the
accomplishment of these PPAs and ensure its continuity.

2. Cite specific programs/activities/policies being done in your locality.

Some of the PPAs of Malabon City to achieve sustainable development include:

 Joint-Partnership Agreement with the Human Cities Coalition (HCC) of Netherlands

 Establishment of E-Waste Facilities (in partnership with Globe, UNIDO, DENR, EcoWaste
Coalition, and GEF)
 Automatic Trash Rake Facility (in partnership with DENR and DOST)
 Zero Waste Project (in partnership with Mother Earth Foundation (MEF), Office of Sen.
Legarda, and the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC)
WEEK 3. RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

a. Compare and contrast the two articles based on the mechanisms and principles in
conservation and protection.

Article 1. People, Parks, and Poverty:

Integrated Conservation and Development
Initiatives in the Free State Province of South
Africa
Aimed to conserve biodiversity through the
clearing of alien plant species, rehabilitation of
infiltrated wetlands and other areas, the
construction of conservation-related
infrastructure and the facilitation of the
development of small and medium enterprises
within the neighboring communities.
Article 2. Landscape Approach to Bio-
Cultural Diversity Conservation in Rural
Lebanon
Aimed to conserve biodiversity by
integrating environmental, ecological, and
cultural values of marginal landscapes and
address rural needs for health and decent
living while protecting bio-cultural heritage

b. How did they achieve their goals in conservation and development? What are the similarities and
differences in their approach?

Article 1. People, Parks, and Poverty:

Integrated Conservation and Development
Initiatives in the Free State Province of South
Africa
Primarily involved neighboring communities
throughout the conservation process
Focused on the socio-economic aspect of
biodiversity conservation as it highlighted the
need for mutually beneficial economic
opportunities and arrangements between
communities and parks
Developed ecotourism projects and game
reserves that enabled biodiversity
conservation while providing job opportunities
for neighboring residents
Article 2. Landscape Approach to Bio-
Cultural Diversity Conservation in Rural
Lebanon
Collaborated with multiple stakeholders
including the private sector
Focused on the socio-cultural aspect of
biodiversity conservation as it underscored
the need to consider both the ecological
cultural diversity in protecting and
managing landscapes
Prepared a landscape master plan that will
enable community responsive framework
for development within the area

c. Are the approaches/mechanisms applicable in your locality? Cite specific

programs/activities/policies being done in your area.

This approach can be applied to rehabilitate and conserve the mangrove areas along Batasan River in
Malabon City which is my hometown. According to a study by Relacion et al. (2018), a total of nine
mangrove species thrives along the Batasan River. However, I am not aware of any initiative by the local
government or other stakeholders that could help in conserving mangrove biodiversity along the said
river.
Based on a simple economic valuation study that I did before as part of the requirements in ENRM 241:
Economic Valuation and Assessment of Aquatic Resources, it is recommended to implement a
Community-based Mangrove Planting and Protection Project that will involve neighboring residents in
the conservation of mangroves along the river. This approach will provide mutual benefits to the
environment and its residents because in addition to the potential increase in profit from fish
production, the community will also gain indirectly from the mangroves through other economic
benefits such as erosion control and carbon sequestration.
WEEK 4

ist of some of the challenges related to land and forest resources that have been identified in the State
of the World's Forest 2016 and PDP 2017-2022 Chapter 20. These challenges are:

Deforestation and forest degradation: This issue is a critical challenge in many parts of the world,
especially in developing countries, where the forest is often cleared to make way for agriculture, mining,
and infrastructure development. Deforestation and forest degradation result in the loss of biodiversity,
carbon sequestration, and other ecosystem services that forests provide.

Land-use change: Land-use change, such as the conversion of forest land to agricultural or urban use, is
a significant challenge for land and forest resources. This issue is particularly acute in areas of rapid
urbanization, where land-use changes can be rapid and unplanned, leading to conflicts over land tenure,
and loss of critical habitats and ecosystem services.

Land degradation: Land degradation is the decline in the quality of land due to a range of factors, such
as soil erosion, desertification, and salinization. This issue is closely linked to unsustainable land-use
practices, such as overgrazing, deforestation, and intensive agriculture, and is a significant threat to food
security, ecosystem services, and livelihoods in many parts of the world.

Climate change: Climate change is a complex and multifaceted issue that poses significant challenges for
land and forest resources. Climate change can lead to changes in temperature, precipitation, and
extreme weather events, which can have a profound impact on forest ecosystems, such as altering
species composition and distribution and increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires

Governance and policy: Governance and policy are critical issues that impact the management of land
and forest resources. The lack of effective governance and policy frameworks can lead to conflicts over
land tenure, unsustainable land-use practices, and inadequate protection of forest ecosystems.